My Genealogy Hound

WILLIAM H. RUSK, farmer and stock-raiser (retired), post-office Sarcoxie, was born in Frederick county, Va., May 27, 1815. His parents, Benjamin D. and Mary Rusk, were also natives of the Old Dominion. When thirteen years of age our subject came west with his parents to Sangamon county, Ill., locating on a farm near Springfield. There he engaged in the healthful pursuits of agriculture, and attending school; completed his education in an academy near Springfield, under the tutorship of W. D. R. Trotter, a son-in-law of the Rev. Peter Cartwright. Came to Missouri in 1840, locating in what is now Schuyler county, where for nearly a quarter of a century he engaged in farming and milling. In 1845 Mr. Rusk crossed the plains to California on an exploring expedition with Col. John C. Fremont. Returned during the following winter, and soon after enlisted under Capt. Moss in the First Missouri Cavalry, Col. A. W. Doniphan commanding, and served in the war against Mexico. At the breaking out of the late war subject enlisted under Col. Haywood, and served until its close; was mustered out in Schuyler county, Mo., in the winter of 1865, and shortly after moved to Lafayette county, Mo., stopping ten miles southwest of Lexington. Came to Jasper county in 1870, locating near Avilla, McDonald township. There he engaged in farming and stock-raising until January, 1882, when he disposed of his interests and came to Sarcoxie. Judge Rusk was married May 7, 1839, to Miss Martha J., daughter of David and Jane Conkling, of Miami county, Ill. Mrs. Rusk is a relative of ex-Senator Roscoe Conkling, of the Empire State. Judge and Mrs. Rusk have a very pleasant home in Sarcoxie, with a well cultivated farm in connection. In 1873 subject was elected associate judge of the county court, in which capacity he served acceptably for three years. Although retired from active life, Judge Rusk yet takes great interest in public affairs. He is a man of exceptionally good business qualifications, and during his eventful life has not only attained individual success, but has lent his influence and means for the upbuilding of beneficent institutions.